Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, I just got my little guy last week, he's still a baby and look brownish still. He was active at the pet shop that's why I pick him. However, after i took it home and put him in his "new home", he seem unhappy everyday so far and didn't really eat (maybe 1 worm a day). I know he needs time to adjust but just wondering usually how long this period will be? Is there anything i can do to make him feel better?
His temp and light are fine, and i have a big dish of water for him to soak in, i also mist him twice a day (he didn't really like it coz he kinda freak out when I approach the tank).

I'm not terribly familiar with basilisks, but your best bet is to wait a couple days without feeding him, because like you said, he's stressed. Just leave him completely alone, sometimes it can take up to a month for a new animal to get settled in.
As far as lights and temp, it usually helps if you list them anyway. Sometimes people get the wrong info from the petstore and find out that they're keeping their critter too cool How big is the basilisk and how big is his new home?

~jenny
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

He's about 10" total STL. SVL is around 4 to 5". I put him is a 30 gallon tank with a big water dish, food dish, 1 rock cave for hidding and 1 branch for climbing. Basking temp on the branch side is about 95 to 100, cool area on the other side is around 80. he is rubbing his mouth against the tank as well, I can see his mouth and nose is a little hurt already, I noticed that he start eating the vege i gave him, but isn't it odd that he's not interested in the worms and crickets at all?

Try covering up the sides of the tank, or even getting him something larger since chances are he's gonna outgrow that 30 gal faster'n you can say "crickets". The nose rubbing is not likely to stop unless you either get him a larger enclosure or cover up the sides, and even then he might still do it.
As far as diet and temps, I personally can't help you out there - I've never owned basilisks, I just know these kinds of lizards like lots and lots of space. Have you tried other forums? Hopefully someone else here can help you out more than I can.

~jenny
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

Hello:
I can think of a couple things off hand that could lend to the problem. One is there is not enough foliage in the terrarium try adding a Pothos plant or two to give the lizard a few options as to perch sites or places to hide. Generally caves are not used by Basiliscs. These lizards prefer sleeping on branches overhanging some sort of body of water. The fact that your's is rubbing it's nose a lot is an indication that it doesn't feel secure in the habitat. Also use both vertical and horizontal perches.
Another problem is that being a younger animal dehydration is something to watch out for. A large water dish does not necessarily mean proper humidity levels in a terrarium. We talk about this regularly on the Mountain/Tree Dragon forum.
Also you do not say how large the food items you are offering are. It is possible that standard meal worms and half-grown crickets may be what the doctor ordered. You can even add the mealworms to the salad bowl to prevent their escaping and burrowing into the substrate.
I hope this info helps. Keep us posted.
Good Luck and Have A Great day!!!

Thanks for the help guys, he kinda stopped the nose rubbing since I noticed that his wound is starting to heal. but he's still not eating. How much do they eat? I'm thinking maybe he did eat but too little that i don't notice. He won't touch the worms and crickets, but maybe he ate a little salad. I saw his droppings in the cage so I guess he did eat something right? (or what else can he get rid of?)

Hello:
Once they are established Basilisks can eat quite a bit of food. They are also aggressive feeders as well. Being a smaller animal be sure you give it smaller food items until it starts feeding on anything. You can also try feeding dishes located below perch sites where the food cannot get away. See-Through containers are best for this. As I said, if the animal is eating some vegetation adding a few mealworms to the "salad" is a good idea.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Have a Great Day!!!